Atttoseatic traimxpipe cohhectos



20 A 7 gwuenlov I aflm m liamx'q Gr mm .l. V. ROBINSON AUTOMATIC TRAIN PIPE CONNECTORv APPLICATION FILED OCT. 30, l9l9.

Reissued Mar. 15, 1921.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. 1

1 Josue v. noninson, or SANTA Monica, CALIFORNIA.

'Au'roMArIc rnAm-rrrn ooivnnc'ron.

Original application filed July 25, 1913, Serial No. 781,194. '-1Jivided and application filed March 14, 1914,"

SeriaIN'o. 824,835. Qctobei 30, 1919. Serial No. 334,588.

proved connector head comprising halves and having guiding members equipped with interlocking portions for preventing localization thereon of the strains of service; to

' ed claims, and illustrated in the accompanyproved connector prov'ide'on each half of the head a novel clamp forse'curely tying the end of the buffer1spring to, the coupling head, and to provide means for preventing incorrect ELS\ sem'bly of the head upon its support. a

i The invention consists in the improvements, combinations andconstruc tions hereinaft'er described, pointed out in the appenddrawings, in which:

%igure 11s a slde elevation of my im- 2jisan end view thereof; and Fig. 3 is a horizontal lsectional view of two of' th'e connector heads coupled.

Referring to the drawings:- My improved connector head A- is shown mounted on a yieldable support B comprising a two-piece base C bolted tog'ether and to the car by "bolts 10, :andhomprisihg also 'a spring 11 interposed between the connector head and base. The spring is conical in outllne, coiled of a gradually tapering bar and is locked in; a recess 12 of the base'by the t heflaforesaid bolts. A fluid conduit 13 ward end of the con lies within the spring, extends axially thereof through an opening inthe base C, and receives the hose of the at 14 The f orswim or annular 11 and with a head 16 carrying a suitable gasket 17, and carrying also lugs 18 of vary mg size for nsuring correct positioning of the coupllng head A 16 of the conduit.

To accurately-aline the gaskets 17 of mat-v Specification of Reissued Letters Patent. Reissued lu 15 i I I mg heads, I provlde the coupling head A with pinand funnel gathering means, 19 in-- d1cat1ng the pin and 20 thefunnel. The

head comprises halves E-E -bolt'ed together about the head 16 of the conduit. by bolts 23, which extend through perforated ears or lugs 2e, on each of the said halves'of the head. Apertures 25 of the head receive-the lugs 18 ofthe conduit, insuring proper'as sembly of the halves thereon and preventin" possible relative rotation of the head an conduit.

The pin 19 terminates in a cylindrical portion 26 for fitting closely within and in v I terlocking with a corresponding portion 27 of the funnel 20. To prevent localization of] the strains of service in these portions of the guiding members I provide the pin with an axially extending, rib or boss 28, which pro-I trudes therefrom'iand extends laterally inw ardly and [its closely within a c0mple-' mentary recess or groove 29in the inner surface .of the wall of the funnel 20, are

mating head as shown particularly in Fig.

3. The\ rib 28 extends forwardly from the transverse vertical coupling face of the head and from a point a short distance beyond the Coupling ace, this rib flares or extends lly away 'from the longitudinal vertical central plane of the head and merges into the main body of the pin member intermediate its base and forward end and beyond' said vertical face'o-fthe head and when the parts are assembled in service position the rib 28 and the recess 29 are arranged in substantially a horizontal plane. By reasonof the close fit between the rib 28 and the recess 29 it is apparent that these parts on mating heads will remain in engagement and pro- ,ven't localization of strains in the parts26f and 27 even when the coupling surfaces'of e m a ti ug oan 2 1. o' 'toregoingponstructlon the heads are slightly separated. As

twisting and distorting strains occurring upon curves or under other conditions of disalinement ofthe heads A are distributed throughout the full length of the pin and funnel. 3

It willfbe understood that the longitudinal central vertical plane of the pinunember 19 passes through the center of the c' lindrical portion 26, and, as appears from the drawings, the rib 28is of greater transverse dimension at a point near the coupling falee such point.

fronts; face disposed in substantially the plane of the coupling face of the head and that no part of the unnel member extends beyond its front face.

To tie the buffer spring 11 to the coupling I head A, I provide each of the halves of the head with a portion 30having a semicircumferential recess or groove 31 for receiving the coils of the apex end of the spring 11, about which end the halves of the head are securely clam edby the bolts23 with'the saidspring 001 s seated in said re cess. a

-WVhen thus clamped in position the apex coils of -thespring rest upon the annular seatlfi 'oftheconduit and hold the head againstundue axial and rotary movement independent 'ofxmovement of the spring, and in like manner thespring is locked against suchinovement in the base C when the halves thereof are clamped together by the bolts 10 in assembling.

Fromthe foregoing description, the operation-ofmy automatic connector will be plain and it will be obvious that any dc.- sired type ofconnector head may be-prodo not therefore desire to be limited to the exact -"const'ruction shown-and described. Having'fthus described my said inven tiony; what-*1 claim as new and desire to secure by -U-nited States Letters Patent is:

a coupling head having a vertical coupling faceqan d pin and funnel gathering means,

- said gathering means comprising a pin wh1ch projects forwardly beyond said face and is provided with a rib worboss that ex tends forwardly from the base of the pin and laterally toward the longitudinal cenltral vertical plane of the pin and lies in substantially a horizontal plane, the front portionofsaid rib merging into the pin at a point intermediate the base and 'the forwardvendcof the' pin, and a funnel having anv' opening therethrough on: an axissube ta-i itially parallel with the" longitudinal ogfsaid;coupling head -fpr receiving saidintimated), Wfilfimnel being of thehead than at anyplace forward of It will also be observed that the\ fro t face of the funnel member 20 has its vided with mylimproved means for lock ingto it the'supporting 'spring 11' and for securing the halves of the head'together. I

Ifi IIl :an automatic train pipe connector,

provided with a recess adapted to receive said boss or rib of said mating head and having also a front face lying in substantially the plane 'of said coupling face.

2. In an automatic train pipe connector, a coupling head having pin and funnel gathering means and having also a trans-- verse vertical coupling face, said pin lying on one side of the longitudinal central ver tical plane of the head and having'a or boss which lies in substantially a horlzontal plane and which extends from the base of the pin, at a point adjacent, said central plane of the head, forwardly of said head and laterally toward the longitudinal central vertical plane of said'pin and merges into the pin at a point intermediate the base i and the forward end of the pin, said funnel lying on the other side of said central plane of the head and having'a complementary recess for receiving said rib on a mating head and having also an openlng which extends entirely through said funnel for re-;

ceiving the pin of a counterpart coupling head,

3. 1n an automatictrain pipe connector, the combination with a suitable support therefor ofa coupling head carried by said support and"*h*aving a substantially flat transverse vertically disposed coupling face adapted to abut the similar face of a coun-r terpart head, and pin and funnel 'gatherin means onsaid couplin head, the funne member ofsaid means eing disposed with its front face in approximately the planeof said coupling face and having an opening which extends entirely through the funnel in the direction of said support, the in member of said means being extended orwardly from said coupling} face and having &rib or boss Whichis arranged in substan m tially a horizontal plane; and which extends forwardly ,fromsaid coupling face from a point adjacent the longitudinal vertical central plane of said coupling head andlater: ally from such plane toward thellongitudinal central vertical plane of said -pin member, said funnel member being provided with a recess for receivin said rib or boss of a counterpart head, an said pin member being the only which extends orwardly' of said coupling art ofsaid couplinghead face for the purpose of alining opposing coupling heads duringi-nitial movement of I such heads in the act of coupling. q

' 4. In an automatic train-pipe connector,

a coupling head having a substantially flat vertically disposed coupling face and having "1 also a hollow .fluid conduit located on the longitudinal center line of said. head and adapted to make a butt joint with a complementary conduit inv-laii' opposing head, and pin and funnel raga 'erin means on said coupling head, e J1 member of said means being disposedoiilfbne side of said conduit with-its front face located in substantially'the plane of said coupling face, and the 'pin'member of said means being located on 'the other side of said conduit and being'extended forwardly from said coupling face and provided with a rib or boss which lies in substantially a horizontal 1 plane and which, from a. point adjacent said conduit, extends forwardlyof such conduit and laterally toward the longitudinal central vertical plane of said pin, the forward portion of said rib or boss merging into said pin at a point intermediate the base and 'the forward end of the pin, said funnel being provided with a longitudinally extendlng opening through which the pin member of a mating head projects in service with its apex lying behind the rear face provided also with a recess or grooveadjaor boss on a mating coupling head.

5'; In an'automati'c train pipe connector, a coupling head having a substantially fiat vertically disposed coupling face and having also a hollow fluid conduit located on the'lon 'tudinal center line of said head and adapt to make a butt joint with a comple mentaryconduit in an opposing head, and pinand funnel gathering means on said couplin head, the funnel member of said means lieing disposed on one side of said conduit with its front face located in substantially the'plane of said coup-ling face, and the pin member of said means'being located on the other side of said conduit and being extended forwardly from saidcoupling face and. provided with a 'rib or boss which lies in substantially a horizontal conduit, extends forwardly of such conduit and laterally toward the longitudinal cen-. tral vertical plane of said pin, the forward portionof said -rib or boss merging into said 45. pin at a point intermediate the base and the forward end of the pin, said funnel being. provided with a longitudinally extending opening through which the pin mem ber of a ,inatingi-head pro'ects in SGIVICG, w th its J 2 ex l'yingbehind t e rear face of sa1d coup inghead, said funnel being provided also -.with a'recess or groove adjacent said fluid conduit for receiving said rib or boss on a a mating coupling head, the transverse dimension" offsaid rib or boss being greater at point near the coupling face of said head than at any place forward of such point.

6 ."In' an automatic train pipe connector, mujplihg' head having a, substantially flat {vertically disposed] coupling face] and havingfalson lioll'ow fluid conduit located in theilc'ng'itudinal 'cen'ter'line of said head adapted to make a butt oint with a lementary' conduit in an opposing and pin and'funnel gathering means of said coupling head, said funnel beingcent said fluid conduit for receiving said rib plane'and'which, from a point adjacent said on said coupling head, the funnel member j I of said means being disposed on one side of i boss which lies in substantially a horizontal I plane and which, from a point adjacent said conduit, extends forwardly and laterally toward the longitudinal central vertical plane of said pin, the foru ardeportion' of? said rib or boss merging into said pin at a point intermediate the baseand the for} ward end of the pin, said f iinelbeing proj vided with a longitudinally extending open:

ing through which the p n member of a] mating head projects in ervice with its .l apex lying behind the rearjface ofsaid coupling head, said funnel be nggp'rovided also with a recess or groove adjacent said fluid conduit for receiving said 'rib or boss'on a mating coupling head, thei'longitudinal Cellf? ter line of said pin and funnel and said fluid conduit being in approximately the same j" horizontal plane. v j j 7. In an automatic train pipe connector, v, a coupling head having a substantially flat l vertically disposed coupling face and hav- 5 ing also a hollow fluid conduit located on the longitudinal center line of said" head i and adapted to make a butt joint'with a}; complementary conduit in" an opposing head, and pin and funnel gathering Ineans OO on said coupling head, the funnel member of said means being disposed on one side of said conduit with its front face located in substantially the plane of said coupling face, and the pin member of said means bef1 05 ing located on .the other side of said con-{f duit and beingextended forwardly from said coupling face and provided with a rib or boss which lies in substantially a hori-Iv zontal plane and which, fr'om'a point adja 1 cent said conduit, extends forwardly at sub: f

stantial1y a right angle to; said coupling? face for a short distance and thence flares laterally toward the longitudinal centr 2,; m:

vertical plane of said pin, the forw'ardzpor-fjlflfi tion of said rib or boss merging into said; pin at a point intermediate the base and the forward (end of the pin, said funnel being provided with a longitudinally extending if: opening through which the pin member o'fi20 a mating head projects in service with its apex lying behind the rear face of said coupling head, said funnel being provided also;

with a recess or groove adjacentsaid fluid] j conduit for receiving said rib or boss on 'a 11 t5 mating coupling head. V 8. in an automatic train pipe connector,

a coupling l i l hg pin and funnel gather' portion thereeon the pinof a mating coupling head.

tending substantially parallel with the lon' ,pne-a130n .t11 other, and a cooperating rib and groove on said pin and funnel to prevent localization of stresses in the locking portions of said pin and funnel. V

9. In an automatic train pipe connector, a coupling head having pin and funnel gathering means and also having a vertical coupling face, the front end of said p1n having acylindrical portion adapted to inter.-. lockingly engage a cylindrical portion on the funnel of a mating coupling head to firmly lock such heads against relative angular movement, said funnel having a recess, and a rib or boss on said'pin arranged to engage saidrecess"tohprevent localization of strains in-said,,, nterloclring portions. A I

10, In an automatic-train .pipe connector, a coupling head having ,pin and funnel gathering, means, said funnel being cone shaped and havingat its apex a portion provided with inner Walls arranged sub stantially parallel with the longitudinal axis 1 of the head and also having a groove on its innersurface, said pin having on its end a portion adapted'to engage and closely fit within theyaforenamed portion of. the fun-i nel of a matinghead to lock the heads; against relative angular movement, and also j having. a] rib engaging said groove of saidl funnel to prevent undue strains occurring on S8'ld p0 I"t1OI1S of said pin and funnel.

11. In anautomatic train pipe connector, a coupling head having pin and funnel gathering means and having also 'a trans verse vertical coupling face, said pin havingon its front end a portion fshaped to interlock with a complementary portion on the/funnel of a matingghead, a rib extend-1 ing laterally from saidl pini and forwardly, of said coupling face to substantially said interlocking portion of thepin, s'aid funnel having a groove adapted to receive said rib 12.. In an automatic train pipe connector, the combination witha coupling head having a fluid conduit and a support for said head, of guiding means'on said head of the pin and funnel type, the pin member of said guiding means being provided with a boss or rib which extends laterally from the axis ofsaid pin member and substantially from.

the base thereof and flares from a pointedjacent said conduit into the main body of said pin member and is adapted to rest ina-=- recess groove therefor in one sideof'th'e fun .nel member of said guiding means on a mat:

i couplinglhead said recess or groov h ding located oppos itely of said 'boss or ri and in the same horizontal plane.

insuring the correct head thereon in assemb 1n 13. In an automatic train pipe connector, the combination of a coupling head provided 7 x With a'fiuid conduit, a support for said head, 1 and pin and funnel guiding meanson said i head, the pin member of said guiding means being provided on one side of saidconduit and adjacent thereto with a rib or bosswhich extends from the base of said pin forwardly and laterally of said head andterminates. in i I the main body of said pin member, and the. funnel member of said guiding means being provided on that side of said conduit which H is opposite said rib with a recess or groove.

extending longitudinally of said conduit and into which recess or groove-said rib or boss, I

011 2 ting coupling head is adapted to p when two said connectors -couple up in service. u

14:. In an automatic train pipe coupling, combination of a con ling head comprising halves, a support for t 1e head,uandmeans for securing said halves together aboutsaid sup- 1 p rt. 1 15; In an a support'adapted to be attached to a car, a member extending from said sup ort, and

automatic train pipeconnector, I a the combination of a sectional coupling head,

means for securing the sectionso the con pling head together about said member. 5

16. In an automatic train pipe connector, the. combination; of a coupling head formed together, a member separate from the head of two parts and means for securing the same and extending therefromhfor yieldingly sup;

portin' the head, and cooperating means carrie by said member and said parts for ositioning of said U 17'. In an automatic tram pipe connector,

the combination of a two-plece coup'lin head, a member extending through said head gi ms for yieldingly sustaining it, and means for" pleccsjon said member.

comprising memport, and means for securing togetherft preventing incorrect assembling of said" parts of said head withjsaid support seated r in saidrecess.

19. In an automatic train "pip'connctor the combinationof 'a support; a coupling 1 head comprising two mem erseach provided with a recess for receiving said support, and" means for securingtogethe'r the parts of'said head with said support: seated in saidrecess; .20; In;an autoniatic train pipe connectorfwi thefc'ombination of'jafspring, a connector rhead provided vvith recessed portions adaptfed/to embrace said spring,..ai1d meansf for 'sespring mounted in' said recess.)

curing together said portions f 11; an automatic train pip ma den the combination of a conduit, a spring surrounding the conduit, a rigid connector head, and a common means surrounding both the spring and conduit for securing the con- 22. In an automatic train pipe connector,

the combination of a connector head, a fluid conduit extending through the head and hav- 10 ing a. shoulder abutting the head, a spring surrounding the conduit and abutting said shoulder, and means for securing the head to the conduit and the spring to the head gith the spring pressing against said shoul- In testimony whereof I ofiix my signature.

JOSEPH V.'ROBINSON. WVitnesses (c JAMES A. WA'rsoN, ROBERT C; WATSON. 

